Coin chute



July 16, 1935o B. RADTKE GOIN CHUTE Filed Jan. 4, 1954 gif-12:1 7 a 22 24 Patented July 16, 1935 :i I

UNITED STATES i Zanini PATENT oFFicE com CHUTE nam@ maaike, chicago, nl., assignor to John F.

Meyer,A Chicagdlll. v

`lllpplication January .4, 1934, Serial No. 705,173 i claims. "(ol. Tg4- 102) This invention relates to coin chutes.

It is an object of this invention to provide an improved coin chute which is relatively simple and inexpensive in construction and efficientin use. f t

Another object of the invention is `te'provide a coin chute which includes a coin slide having a as the so-called "digger or cranemachines in which the insertion of a coin of proper size and `denomination is necessary in order to actuate a switch which controls the motor and associated mechanism for operating the crane, it .being understood that theV vending operation Ais not completed by the movement of the coin slide f itself but by the action of the coin dropping `from the coin slide upon a device which controls the circuit to thecrane operating motor.

A further object of the invention is to provide a coin chute including a coin slide and a novel device associated with the coin slide for ejecting coins of the intended denomination and diameter into a discharge opening, from which they drop into position to actuate the motor which controls the operation of the vending crane, and to discharge coins or substitutes therefor of a diameter less than the diameter of the intended coin into `another discharge opening and from which latter opening `the second-named coins may be allowed to'drop into a suitable receptacle without operating the switch which Ycontrols the operation of the motor for the vending crane.

Other objects will appear hereinafter. The invention consists in the novel combination and arrangement of parts tobe hereinafter describedand claimed.

The inventionwill be bestJ understood by ref.,-

erence to `the accompanying drawing, showing Vthe preferred form of construction and in which:

Fig. 1 is a top plan view illustrating a preferred form of the new coin chute and showing the coin ejector Iii, in full lines, in the positionwhich it assumes just before the coin slide I2 reaches the inner end vof its stroke; f.

Fig.v 2 is alsoa top plan View showing thenger `22` of= the coin .ejector I6 jamming a coin of the intended or proper diameter against the stops 24 after the coin slide I2 has reached the inner end of rits operative stroke and has deposited the intended or proper coin upon the shelf I2 between the upright fingers 22 and 2li of the ejector I 6, and Ahas started back toward its initial or coin receiving position; y z

Fig. 3 is a side elevational View on line 3-3 in Fig. 1; andk FigA is a transverse sectional view on line ll-,-4

in Fig. 1. A preferred embodiment of the new coin chut is generally indicated at IB in the .drawing and the same includes a relatively stationary guide structure l! which is adapted Yto be mounted in the icabinetof `a .coin controlled device. Carried Q by the guide structure II is a coin slide l which is provided.with a coin-receiving aperture I3. The guide structure II includes a bottoni horizontal wall 2-9 (Fig. 4) which is arranged below the .coin slide I2, and this bottom wall 29 of the guide structure .II is provided with a coin dischargeopening 28. .This coin discharge opening `29.is registered with the coin-receiving aperture I3, by. inward `movement or operative stroke of the slide I2,1 so as to discharge the intended coin, l"

or one of less diameten'through the discharge .opening 23 .onto a receptacle having the form oi a horizontal .shelf lil which is arranged below the bottom wall 29 ofthe guide structure I I (Fig. 4)

thecoin slide I2 being retracted to coin-receiving `member L4 which. is adapted to engage a cam surface I5 formed Yon a swinging or pivotal ejecting member I6. `This ejecting member It is piv- `otally mounted :between its ends, as at lll'hloelow the coin slide .l 2 and to the under side of the *hori'a Zontal shelf or receptacle i8. This shelf i8 is formed asa part ,of .a supporting bracket 3i) that is carried by the guide structure II. The swinging or pivotal ejecting member lli is urged in a .counter-clockwise .direction (Figs. land 2) by a coil spring :23 which has Vone lend attached to the member ,I6 .and which has its .other end attached to `the horizontal shelf IB` of the supporting .bracket;30.. l

YThe-pivotal ejecting member I6 has a bifurcated end portion (Figs. 1 and 2) which provides thereon a pair of spaced arms I9 and 2I, which terminate in upwardly projecting portions 20 and 22, respectively. These projections 20 and 22 of the arms I9 and 2i, respectively, of the pivotal member I6 extend upwardly into correspondingly shaped openings 26 and 21, respectively, which are formed in the shelf I8 on opposite sides of the coin discharge opening 28. These openings 26 and 21 are interconnected by a slot 25 which is also formed in the shelf I8. This slot 25 extends (in plan, Fig. 2) diametrically across the coin discharge opening 28, and below the latter, for reasons to be explained hereinafter. Carried by and projecting upwardly from the shelf I8 is a pair of abutments kor pins 24 which are spaced apart radially, relative to the center of the coin discharge opening 28 a distance less than the diameter of the coin discharge opening 28.

Operation The pivotal ejecting member I6 is disposed as in full line position, Fig. l, when the coin slide I2 is in retracted or coin-receiving position and when a coin SI (Fig. 2) of proper denomination and diameter is inserted into the coin-receiving aperture I3 in the coin slide I2 and the coin slide `I2 is pushed inwardly (toward the top of the sheet, Fig, 1), the depending pin I4 on the slide I2 rides oif the cam surface I5 of the ejecting member I6 and the spring 23 thereupon pivots the ejecting member .I6 (counterclockwise, Fig. l). During this movement of the pivotal ejecting member I6 the upwardly projecting portion 22 of the arm 2| of the ejecting member I6 moves into the slot 25 (from left to right, Figs: 1 and 2) and when the coin aperture I3 in the slide I2 comes into registration with the coin discharge opening 28 the coin in the coin aperture I3 falls therefrom onto the horizontal shelf or receptacle I8 whereon it is deposited within the triangle which is dened (in Fig. 2) by the upwardly projecting pins or stop members 24 and the upwardly projecting portion 22 of the arm 2I of the ejecting member I6. When the parts are in this position the tensioned spring 23 acts upon the pivotal ejecting member I8 to tend to rotate the same (counterclockwise, Figs. 1 and 2) but the spring 23 is prevented from so rotating the ejecting member I8 by the engagement of the upwardly projecting portion 22 of arm 2I against the periphery of the coin 3I that is disposed on the shelf I8 within the triangle that is dened by the stops 24 and the vertical extension 22 of arm 2 I. This engagement of the vertical extension 22 of arm 2| against the periphery of a coin in the coin discharge opening tends to eject the coin laterally off from the horizontal shelf or receptacle I8 (to the right, Fig. 2) into the opening 26 but this ejection of the coin is prevented by the engagement of the coin at its pe iphery against the stop members or pins 24 between which the coin cannot pass because of the fact that the stop members 24 are spaced apart, on the shelf I8 and around the periphery of the coin discharge opening 28, (Figs. 1 and 2) a distance less than the diameter of the coin aperture I3 and of the intended coin.

The aforementioned engagement of the upward extension 22 of arm 2I of Athe ejecting member I6, and the engagement of the coin 3I with the stop members 24, takes place at a time (as shown in Fig. 2) just after the coin slide I2 has reached the inner end of its operative stroke, and has started back toward its initial or coinreceiving position. Consequently, as Ithe coin slide I2 is retracted, (by a spring, not shown), the pin I4 engages the cam surface I5 of the pivotal ejecting member I6 and pivots the latter (clockwise, Fig. 2) against the action of the spring 23. During this movement of -the ejecting member I6 the upwardly extending projection 29 of the arm I9 moves (from right to left, Fig. 2) into engagement with the periphery of the coin 3I whereupon the projection 2.8 of arm I9 moves through the slot 25 (from right Ito left, Fig. 2) and in so doing pushes the coin 3i laterally across lthe shelf I8 into the discharge opening 21 from which the thus discharged coin of the intended size and diameter may be allowed to fall by gravity onto any suitable coin-operated device (not shown), such as hereinbefore mentioned, for controlling the operation of the vending machine with which the present coin chute may be associated. Accordingly when the coin slide I2 reaches coin-receiving position the ejecting member I6 is again disposed as full lines in Fig. l.

However, if a coin or a fraudulent substitute therefore, such as a metal disc, or the like, having a diameter less than that of the intended coin and, therefore, less than the distance between the stop members 24, is inserted into the coin-receiving aperture I 3 and the coin slide I2 is moved inwardly to the limit of its operative stroke, the coin or substitute therefor will drop from the coin aperture I3, through the discharge opening 28, onto the horizontal shelf I8 whereon it will be disposed within the triangle defined by the s-top members 24 and the vertical extension 22 of arm 2I. Consequently, as the coin slide I2 is retracted to its initial or coin-receiving position (top to bottom, Fig, 1), the tensioned spring 23 acts upon the ejector IG to pivot the latter upon the pivot I1 (counterclockwise, Fig. 2) and the upwardly projecting portion 22 of arm 2I bears against the periphery of the substituted coin or disc, whereupon the vertical extension 22 of arm 2| acting under the force of the tensioned spring 23, travels through the slot 25 (counterclockwise, Fig. 2), and ejects the substituted coin or disc laterally from the shelf i8 between the stop members 24 and into the discharge opening 26, from which the substituted coin, disc, or slug may be returned to the operator or conducted to a suitable receptacle, without having operated the Vending machine with which the coin chute is associated. At the end of this operation the movement of the ejector I6 is stopped by the engagement of the vertical extension 2G of arm I9 with the wall defining the opening 26.

The present invention is particularly adapted for use in conjunction with vending machines of the so-called digger or crane type and in machines of Ithis character, the mechanism which controls the operation of the vending crane is in turn controlled by a coin-actuated switch which is operable only by a coin of the proper size and weight discharged through the coin discharge aperture 21, but not through the coin aperture 26. Consequently, coins of less than the intended size and weight, being discharged through the coin aperture 26, will not actuate the vending mechanism with which the present coin chute is intended to be associated even though the coin slide I I may be moved to Ithe full inward limit of its operative stroke after a coin of less than the intended size, etc., has been discharged through the coin aperture 26. Thus, for example, the German tWo-pfennig coin, which is only aoosmss -very slightlylighter in' weight 'Sandi smaller in i `diameter than the ten-pfennig coinfwill not operate the aforementioned vending machines with `which the present coin chute` is zintended to be `associated if` the vendingymachine isintended and modiiication, without departing from the spirit of the invention. I, therefore, do not wish to be limited to the precise details of construction set forth, but desire to avail myself of, such variations and modifications as come Within the scope of the appended claims.

Having described-my invention what I claim as new and desire to protect by LettersPatent is:

1. A coin or token separator comprising the combination of: a guide structureprovidedwith a coin discharge opening; a coin slide carriedby the said guide structure and provided with a coin-receiving aperture; a coin-supportingmems ber arranged below the said coin discharge opening and in communication therewith; spaced coin-stopping members varranged upon said-'coinsupporting member; a coin-ejecting member; means coacting with the said coinejectingmem` ber, at one ,stage in the operation of the said coin slidefto urge a coin or token having the `diameter of the intended or proper coin or token into` abutting engagement with said coin-stopping members or,at the same stage in the operation of said coin slide, to urge a `coin or token having a diameter less than that of the intended or proper coin or token between said coin-stopping vmembers and 01T from said coin-supporting member; said coin-ejecting member, coacting with the said coin slide, at another and subsequent stage in the operation of the latter, to urge a coin or token having the diameter of the intended or proper coin or token out of abutting engagement with said coin-stopping members and off from said coin-supporting member.

2. A coin or token separator comprising the combination of: aguide structure provided with a coin. discharge opening; a coin slide carried by the said guide structure and provided with a coinreceiving aperture; a coin-supporting member arranged below the said coin discharge opening, in communication therewith, and provided Y with spaced coin .discharge apertures; spaced coin-stopping members arranged upon `said coinsupporting member; a coin-ejecting member; means ccacting with the said coin-ejecting member, at one stage in the operation of the said coin slide, to urge a coin ortoken having the diameter of the intended or proper coin or token into abutting engagement iwiths said coin-stopping members or, at the same stage in the operation `oi said coin slide, to urge a coin or token having a diameter less than that of the intended or proper coin or token between said coin-stopping members and into one of said coin discharge apertures; said coin-ejecting` member coacting with the said coin slide, at another and subsequent stage in the operationof the latter, to urge a coin or token having lthe diameter of the intended or proper coin or token out or abutting engagement with said coinstopping members and into the other of said coin discharge aperf tures. l i m Y -3.A,coin or `token separator comprisingthe combination-oi: a guide structure providedwith a coin` discharge opening; a ,coin slide carried by the said guide structure and provided with a coin-receiving aperture; a coin-supporting member arranged belowthe said coin discharge opening, in communication therewith, and provided with spaced .coin discharge apertures; spaced coin-stopping members arranged upon said coinsupporting member; a coin-ejecting member; means coacting with the said coin-ejecting member, 4at one stagein the operation of the said `coin slide, `to urge a coin or token having the diameter of the intended or proper coin or `token into abutting engagement, withfsaid `coinstopping members or, at the same stage in the operation of said coin slide, to urge a ,coin or token having a diameter less than that` of the intended or proper coin or token between said ucoin-stopping members and into one of saidl coin `discharge apertures; said coin-ejecting member Vcoacting with the said coin slide, at another and subsequent stage in the operation ofthe latter, to urge a coin or token having the diameter oi the intendedor proper coin or token out of labutting engagement `with said coin-stopping members and .into the. other oi` said coin discharge apertures; said coin dischargeapertures being arranged on opposite sides ci said coin slide, relative to thelongitudinal edges thereof.

Y v4. A` coin or token separator, comprising the vhaving a pair of spaced upwardly extending arms movable in said slot; a pair of spaced upright coin-stopping members arranged upon said coinreceiving member on opposite sides of said slot; means coacting with the said coin-ejecting member to pivot said coin-ejecting member in a direction to move one of the said arms thereof through said'slot and between said coin-stopping members so as to discharge a coin or token having a diameter less than that of the intended or proper coin or token between said coin-stopping members and off from said coin-receiving member; and a member carried by the said coin slide and coacting with said coin-ejecting member to pivot the latter in a direction opposite to the said first-named direction so as to move the other of the said arms thereof through said slot and between said coin-stopping members and thus discharge a coin or token having the diameter of the intended or proper coin ortoken off from said coin-receiving member in a direction opposite to the said rst-named direction.

5. A coin or token separator, comprising the combination of a supporting and guide structure provided with a coin discharge Opening; a coin slide carriedby said guide structure and provided with a coin-receiving aperture; a coin-receiving member arranged below said coin discharge opening in communication therewith and having a slot Vor opening formed therein; said coin-receiving member having a pair of spaced coin-discharge apertures formed therein and said coin-discharge apertures being arranged at opposite ends of said slot; a coin-ejecting member pivotally mounted upon the said supporting and guide structure below said coin-receiving member and having a pair of spaced upwardly extending arms movable in said slot; a pair of spaced upright coin-stopping members arranged upon said coin-receiving member on opposite sides of said slot; means coacting with said coinejecting member to pivot said coin-ejecting member in a direction to move one of the said arms thereof through said slot and between said coinstopping members so as to discharge a coin or token having a diameter less than that of the intended or proper coin or token between said coin-stopping members and into one of said coin discharge apertures; and a member carried by the said coin slide and coacting with the said coin-ejecting member to p'ivot the latter in a direction opposite to the said firstnamed direction so as to move the other of said arms thereof through said slot and thus discharge a coin or token having the diameter of the intended or proper coin or token off from said coin-receiving member into the other of said coin-discharge apertures.

6. A coin or token separator, comprising the combination of: a supporting and guide structure provided with a coin discharge opening; a coin slide carried by the said supporting and guide structure and provided with a coin-receiving aperture; a coin-receiving member arranged below said coin discharge opening in communication therewith and having a slot or opening formed therein; a coin-ejecting member pivotally mounted upon the said supporting and guide structure and having a pair of spaced arms movable in said slot; a pair of spaced upright coin-stopping members arranged upon said coin-receiving member on opposite sides of said slot; means coactng with the said coin-ejecting member to pivot said coin-ejecting member in a direction to move one of the said arms thereof through said slot and between said coin-stopping members so as to discharge a coin or token having a diameter less than that of the intended or proper coin or token between said coin-stopping members and apertures;

off from said coin-receiving member; and a member carried by the said coin slide and coacting with said coin-ejecting member to pivot the latter in a direction opposite to the said firstnamed direction so as to move the other of the said arms thereof through said slot and between said coin-stopping members and thus discharge a coin or token having the diameter of the intended or proper coin or token off from said coin-receiving member in a direction opposite to the said first-named direction.

'7. A coin or token separator, comprising the combination of: a supporting and guide structure provided with a coin discharge opening; a coin slide carried by said guide structure and provided with a coin-receiving aperture; a coin-receiving member arranged below said coin discharge opening in communication therewith and having a slot or opening formed therein; said coin-receiving member having a pair of spaced coin-discharge apertures formed therein and said coin-discharge apertures being arranged at opposite ends of said slot; a coin-ejecting member pivotally mounted upon the said supporting and guiding structure and having a pair of spaced arms movable in said slot; a pair of spaced upright coin-stopping members arranged upon said coin-receiving member on opposite sides of said slot; means coacting with said coin-ejecting member to pivot said coin-ejecting member in a direction to move one of the said arms thereof through said slot and between said coin-stopping members so as to discharge a coin or token having a diameter less than that of the intended or proper coin or token between said coin-stopping members and into one of said coin discharge and a member carried by the said coin slide and coacting with the said coin-ejecting member to pivot the latter in a direction opposite to the said first-named direction so as to move the other of said arms thereof through said slots and thus discharge a coin or token having the diameter of the intended or proper coin or token off from said coin-receiving member into the other of said coin-discharge apertures.

BRUNO RADTKE. 

